In 2005, Louis Robitaille, then a robust forward, discovered a talented Czech traded by the Detroit Red Wings to the Washington Capitals: Tomas Fleischmann. The two men spent two seasons in the American League with the Hershey Bears.
A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, so much so that Robitaille now holds the position of head coach and general manager of the Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL. But when he sees Montreal Canadiens prospect Riley Kidney in action, his biggest catch of the trade period, he thinks back to Fleischmann, who had 51 and 61-point seasons in the NHL.
“When he arrived in the Capitals organization, he had to work on his muscular endurance and his physical strength, remembers Robitaille in a telephone interview with TVASports.ca. But his composure with the puck resembled Riley’s.”
Kidney is the QMJHL player of the hour since the trade that took him from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan to the Olympiques. In his last 10 games alone, he has stacked … 25 points. The confidence he displays on the ice is very noticeable on the phone.
“It’s not a surprise for me, says the young man. I knew I was capable of putting this production on the board. The level of play you’re seeing right now is what you can expect from me.”
“He is a guy who is destined to have a very, very good career, for a long time. He’s a hockey fan,” says Robitaille, who tied the knot with Kidney last summer at the World Junior Championship in Edmonton.
With such numbers, Kidney attracts reflectors to him. Since CH claimed him in the second round (63rd overall) in 2021, he has shown statistics very similar to those of Joshua Roy. However, the media attention given to the two players is not the same, Roy being impatiently awaited in Montreal. Are we underestimating Kidney? The principal concerned believes so.
Photo credit: Joël Lemay / QMI Agency
“Playing in a small market in Bathurst has contributed to this reality, observes the native of New Brunswick. I’m excited to be in Gatineau and reveal myself to the general public.”
If there has been talk lately about the potential arrival of Sean Farrell at the end of the season with the Canadiens, there is this other category of hopefuls who could join the Laval Rocket in the spring. Although he has the ambition to go a long way with the Olympics, Kidney is already preparing for this possibility.
“Since I arrived in Gatineau, I have tried to bring my game to a level worthy of the professionals, explains the center player. I am quite confident: I believe that I can be an offensive player, capable of producing for the pros.
“One thing I made clear with Riley when he arrived, says Robitaille, is that he will help us win, but, in return, I will facilitate his transition to the next level.
Photo credit: DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
A center player
The hockey man sees Kidney as a center player in the NHL.
“He likes to control the puck and attack inside,” he explains. He will put the game at his speed, much like Mike Ribeiro did. He plays at his own pace, but with extremely fast players he can find gaps and put the puck in the open spaces. He is a guy who is more comfortable in the center.
Kidney therefore likes to slow down the game. This allows him to buy time knowing that he is not the most explosive player on the skates.
“For the next level, what he has to do better is play with more dynamism and speed,” said Robitaille. He will develop this aspect by increasing his physical strength and his explosion. His training will be extremely important.”
“I want to get a lot stronger lower body, get more explosive,” Kidney agrees. I was so busy last summer with the World Juniors in Edmonton, I didn’t have much time to hit the gyms. This summer, I intend to train in Montreal at the facilities of the Canadiens.
It must be understood that the young man will need a few more years to polish his weapons.
“We should not expect him to arrive in the NHL and break everything at 20-21, warns Louis Robitaille. He’s going to go through stages in the American League.”
Robitaille is nonetheless optimistic about his colt’s future. The qualities difficult to teach, he possesses them.
“I think he’s a guy with so much potential. What he does is hard to learn, he insists. The calm, the poisethe skills… “
To polish his game between now and his arrival in the big league, Kidney is inspired by two players in particular.
“Nick Suzuki, because of his vision of the game and his hockey IQ. The other is Sebastian Aho. I think he’s a very complete center player.”
In theory, the two have signed a contract with the Canadiens.